USA > Vermont > Chittenden County > History of Chittenden County, Vermont, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 58
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MERCANTILE INTERESTS. 1
Perhaps the most characteristic feature of the commercial growth of Bur- lington is to be found in the history of its retail trade. While its large mann- facturing and wholesaling firms have done a great deal for the prosperity of the city, it is the local tradesmen that show its steady and permanent growth. The local tradesman has been well termed the business barometer. And the prog- ress of the retail trade in the city has kept steady pace with the rapid growth and remarkable prosperity of its manufacturing and wholesaling interests.
The retail business of Burlington may be said to have had its beginning very soon after the settlement known as " Burlington Bay" was founded, with a small and primitive store established by a settler bearing the name of Grant. Soon after, as the settlement prospered, it was found necessary to increase its mercantile facilities, and Stephen Keys, Zacchens Peaslee, Thaddeus Tuttle, E. T. Englesby, Newell & Russell, William F. Pell & Co., and Herring & Fitch set up in the general merchandise business. There was also a saddler in town, Moses Jewett, a tailor, Nehemiah Hotchkiss, and a cabinet maker, Justus War-
1 This introduction to the history of the present mercantile houses is taken almost verbatim from the Free Press of July 1, 1885.
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ner. Soon after Nehemiah Bryant went into the business of making and mend- ing shoes for the settlers, and Daniel Wilder hung out his shingle as carpenter and joiner. Later on Stephen Lawrence and Stephen Pearl, both representa- tive men, entered the retail trade, and helped largely to build up the rapidly growing village. William Hickok also opened a small store at " south wharf." The old firm of Vilas & Loomis, doing business near the head of Pearl street, must also be counted among our pioneer firms. Those whose memory does not extend so very far back can easily remember the old store with its iron blinds and plain front.
Coming down to comparatively modern times we find the earlier genera- tion of retail dealers represented by more familiar names. In 1829 John and Cornelius Wickware erected the building known as the Lyman block, on the corner of College and Church streets, and established in it a flourishing dry goods trade. This was the second store erected on Church street, the first be- ing Sion E. Howard's store, near the site of the present opera house. The Lyman block was occupied successively by [D. W. Ingersoll & Co., John S. Potwin & Co. and Joseph Wait, for dry goods and general country trade. The first extensive dry goods merchant to enter business in Burlington was Elias Lyman, who purchased the Lyman block in 1844 and established his business there. In 1848 Mr. Lyman formed a partnership with his cousin, Edward Ly- man, who is now the senior member of the large dry goods house of Lyman, Allen & Co.
In 1851 Mr. Noble Lovely erected two brick buildings on Locust street (now Elmwood avenue) north of North street, which were used for business purposes. Within the next five years the retail business of Burlington grew very rapidly, and many of the firms then established are familiar now, either under the old firm name or that of their successors.
Previous to the year 1849 there was no railroad communication to or from Burlington with any part of the country, and Troy, Albany and New York were the markets for the produce of Northern Vermont and New York, as well as for the goods and supplies in return for the inhabitants of those sec- tions.
The communication being by water, through the lake, the Champlain Canal and Hudson River, Burlington naturally became the principal receiving and distributing point for the commerce of Northern and Northeastern Vermont, and its early growth and prosperity up to that time was mainly due to the trade which was carried on with the inland towns in those parts of the State.
In the earlier years the active men and firms who carried on the business naturally located on Pearl street, which was the entrance into town from the east and northeast, and it is but a few years since that the old stores on that street, which were occupied by the successful business men Harry Bradley, Vilas & Noyes, Luther Loomis, E. Deming, Morse Brothers, Horace Loomis, 31
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HISTORY OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY.
Edward Loomis, and others, were torn down or converted to other purposes. These, with Samnel Hickok, on the west side of the square, were the parties who controlled the trade in the early part of the century, exchanging goods for the produce of the community and sending it to Troy, Albany and New York. But as the State became more settled and population increased, the business, especially in flour, iron, grain, butter, cheese, and heavy goods, as- sumed more of a wholesale character, and to avoid the expense as well as inconvenience of cartage, it drifted towards the lake, and additional docks and wharves were built to accommodate it. The stores on Pearl street closed up one after another, until the retail business centered about the square, while the wholesale business was carried on principally by J. & J. H. Peck & Co., whose office was on the north side of the square in the Peck block, with some of their lighter goods, the bulk of them being stored and hauled at the north wharf and warehouses, and by Follett & Bradley, who built and occupied the stone store now occupied by Van Sicklen, Seymour & Co., and the warehouses on the south wharf.
The transportation inland was principally by teams of six to ten horses on heavy canvas-covered wagons, coming as far as one hundred miles in some instances, and the older citizens will remember the large, fine teams of Gov- ernor Paine with tons of manufactured goods from Northfield, of Fairbanks & Co., of St. Johnsbury, loaded with their world-renowned scales, of Burbank & Langdon, of Montpelier, and others crowding the streets, returning with flour, iron, and merchandise, supplemented by the elegant, well-matched six horse team and coach of Cottrell & Shattuck, for the United States mails and pas- sengers.
To the wholesale trade of Follett & Bradley was added a line of boats to New York upon which the produce was shipped to market and goods returned.
When the question of connecting Burlington with Boston by railroad came up, these two firms became the active advocates of the routes, Peck & Co. favoring the Vermont Central line and Follett & Bradley the Rutland line. It may be safely said that the early construction of these two lines of railroad was in a great measure due to the energy, sagacity and capital of these two firms.
The construction of these two railroads, especially the Central line, by which the territory tributary to Burlington was put in close connection with Boston, had the effect of diverting the wholesale trade from Burlington and materially interfering with its business, and Peck & Co. gradually retired from the general merchandise business, being succeeded by the junior member of the firm, Edward W. Peck, at the old place, in such special branches as the trade would warrant.
Judge Follett's place was filled by Thomas H. Canfield and N. A. Tucker; the latter soon, however, retiring, when the business was carried on by Bradley
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& Canfield several years, adding to it the forwarding and transportation by water as well as the building of railroads. Subsequently Bradley & Canfield admit- ted Solomon Walker and John Smith into the merchandise department under the name of Walker, Smith & Co., and upon the death of Mr. Walker J. M. Bishop purchased the estate's interest, and the business continued under the name of Bishop, Smith & Co. for some years.
Meanwhile the business of Eastern Vermont having been diverted to Boston and elsewhere by the newly constructed railroads, the transportation by water to New York was correspondingly lessened, and Bradley & Canfield, having become interested in the construction of railroads in the West, sold out their boats and dissolved the firm of Bishop, Smith & Co.
Shortly after this the wholesale merchandise business was taken up again by Van Sicklen & Walker at the old stone store where it is now successfully continued by their successors, Van Sicklen, Seymour & Co. O. J. Walker, on retiring from the firm of Van Sicklen & Walker, opened up the business at the old Peck stand, associating with him his brothers. Thus the wholesale busi- ness now is carried on as in 1849, at the same places, but confined more directly to selling goods, and not entering into the purchase of the produce of the country, which is now a specialty by itself.
All the members of the original firms are dead except Edward W. Peck, who remains at his old desk, and Thomas H. Canfield, who has devoted the later years of his life to building the Northern Pacific Railroad, and has re- sumed the happy vocation of a farmer.
The first firm to go into the jobbing of specialties in Burlington was T. W. Gregory & Co., who established themselves in the tea business, to which Pope, Berry & Hall subsequently succeeded. The Wells & Richardson Company was the first firm to go into the wholesale drug business on a large scale. This house first began to do business about 1870 in the block now occupied by the Porter Manufacturing Company, and their success was almost immediate, soon requiring more extended quarters. The first to do any wholesale business in the dry goods line was Elias, who was succeded by Edward Lyman, now of the firm of Lyman & Allen, and Sidney Barlow, who built up a large trade in wholesale dry goods. William Wells & Co. had a store on Pearl street, where they carried on a large wholesale business in liquor and flour. One of the early dealers in spices, coffee, tea, etc., was Charles Miner, the originator of the large house of Miner, Pope & Co. H. W. Catlin began the wholesale flour trade in 1865, in the store now occupied by Jones & Isham. Pope & Co. did a large general wholesale business, on the corner of St. Paul and College streets. The present firm of Safford, Wetherby & Co., wholesale jobbers of fancy goods, be- gan business in Burlington in 1870, under the firm name of E. S. Fullam & Co. Safford & Humphrey, who were connected with the business, purchased it in 1881. Henry, Johnson & Lord went into the wholesale drug business in
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HISTORY OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY.
1881, but soon after disposed of their trade in this line to the firm of Wells, Richardson & Co., and went into the manufacture of proprietary medicines, which they have continued with great success ever since. In 1870 the firm of Arbuckle & Co. previously succeeded to the manufacturing and wholesale busi- ness of D. A. Van Namee. The wholesale business of the city, exclusive of marble and lumber, now aggregates about $2,000,000 yearly.
Present Mercantile Interests. - The wholesale grocery business of O. J. Walker & Bros. was established by the present senior member of the firm. O. J. Walker began business in Burlington in 1851; in 1856 a member of the firm of Van Sicklen & Walker. This firm now keep three men on the road, and make a specialty of salt and nails, though they carry a heavy stock of gen- eral groceries, amounting in value to $100,000. The sales, amounting to about half a million a year, are as extensive in New York as in Vermont.
The wholesale grocery and provision trade of Van Sicklen, Seymour & Co. was founded by Van Sicklen & Walker in 1856. The present firm was formed in 1878. Ten men are employed. The store has been mentioned before, and is the oldest wholesale house in the city.
The firm of Jones, Bros. & Co. is descended from the firm of Weston & Jones, formed here about twenty years ago. They are jobbers in fruits and vegetables of all kinds, and general dealers in groceries.
A. L. Barrows established his trade in groceries and provisions about 1867. McWilliams Brothers founded their business in 1868, and they have had no change in the membership of the firm since the beginning. They deal in gen- eral goceries, fine flours, teas, spices and coffees. C. E. Germain, who does a considerable trade in groceries, started in Burlington about fifteen years ago, and has made a success of his store. Rowley & Prior, dealers in groceries and meats, began here in 1876. P. H. Corley established a trade in groceries, Cath- olic books and stationery, etc., on the 15th of December, 1877. His business is worth now over $30,000 a year. W. B. McKillip began dealing in fancy gro- ceries and table delicacies in 1877, and as specialist in this line is a pioneer. G. W. Kelley deals in groceries and fruits, oysters, sugars and tobaccos. He started in Burlington in 1877. E. S. Spear, in the same line, began in 1878. His annual income is about $20,000.
The firm of Roberts & Perkins (W. H. Roberts and F. E. Perkins) bought out the old firm of Ira Russell & Co. in 1879, and established a good trade in all kinds of groceries, wooden ware and baskets, carrying the best goods in the market. Dolan Brothers, who started here in 1880, carry now a stock valued at $4,000 or $5,000 of all kinds of provisions and country produce, making a specialty of flour. The firm of Nye & Lavelle was established in 1880, and now do a large wholesale and retail business in cheese and meats, and general groceries. They have an income of more than $50,000 per annum. O'Neil Brothers, established in trade two years ago, carry a full line of groceries, fancy
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baskets and willow ware, making a specialty of teas and coffees. The store of Spalding & Beach was opened on the Ist of May, 1885, and is provided with a good stock of groceries, canned goods and choice butter. The grocery of J. E. Corrigan was opened in June, 1885. Owing to his excellent goods and his local situation, he has a remarkable trade in groceries, fresh and salt meats, canned goods, cigars, overalls and fancy articles.
Hardware, etc. - The oldest hardware store in the State is that of George I. Hagar, which was established more than fifty years ago. We saw in 1850 that prominent among the hardware merchants of that period were Hagar & Arthur, the senior member of the firm being the father of the present proprie- tor. George I. Hagar entered into partnership with his father about twenty- eight years ago. In 1872 he succeeded to the entire business. Mr. Hagar now carries on a business worth about $40,000 a year, and has a stock of $20,- 000. His specialties are mill supplies, builders' and saddlery hardware, etc., though his stock is by no means limited to these.
The hardware store of Albert G. Strong also bears the mark of antiquity and solid worth. Mr. Strong began business in Burlington in 1852, and car- ries at present, as always, an excellent stock in heavy shelf and carriage hard- ware and house trimmings, in addition to the varieties that are necessary to the thorough equipment of a wholesale and retail establishment of this kind.
The hardware firm of Ripley & Holton was formed in 1871, and from a small retail concern the house has grown to be one of the largest of its kind in the New England States. They carry a large stock of shelf and saddlery hard- ware, paints, farmers' tools, powder, cordage, etc. The value of the stock is about $30.000 or more.
Ferguson & Adsit, though the youngest firm of the kind in the city, are energetic and full of resources. They have already established an extensive trade both in Burlington and throughout this part of the country. They are manufacturers and jobbers of saddlery and carriage hardware, and deal largely in paints, besides having a heavy sale of Adsit's patent rein supporter. Their business amounts to about $70,000 per annum.
Boots and Shoes. - W. W. Wood established a trade in this line of goods in Burlington in 1863, and is thus the oldest dealer in the city. He has man- ufactured considerably, but has relinquished that branch of the business and now confines himself to an extensive retail trade. His store is a model of ele- gance, and is the finest in the State in finish and appearance. It is finished in cherry.
The wholesale trade of D. A. Brodie had its origin in the formation of the firm of Kelsie & Brodie, in April, 1873. This partnership was dissolved on the Ist of January, 1886, and Mr. Brodie has since been sole proprietor. He car- ries a stock of about $20,000, and has three men on the road.
C. A. Hibbard's boot and shoe manufactory, located at 52 and 54 College
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HISTORY OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY.
street, was established at Troy, Vt., in 1865. In 1870 Mr. Hibbard removed to Essex Junction, and from there to Burlington in 1874. He manufactures none but hand-made goods, and turns out from 1,200 to 1,700 cases per annum, giving employment to fifty workmen. His whole trade, consisting of the sale of his own and other manufactured goods, amounts annually to $150,000.
The business of Fletcher & Boynton was established in 1876 by the present senior partner, F. G. Fletcher. F. B. Boynton was admitted to an interest in September, 1885. These gentlemen carry an unusually fine stock of boots, shoes, and rubbers, procuring both ladies' and gentlemen's goods from the best manufacturers. Their trade is worth from $30,000 to $40,000 a year.
M. D. McMahon has been dealing in a general line of boots and shoes here since 1882. His prices range from the cheapest to the dearest. His stock is valued at $10,000. During the year 1885 his sales were more than $30,000, and have not diminished since.
George H. Smilie started a boot and shoe store in Burlington three years ago. He carries an extensive and an excellent stock suited to all purposes for ladies and gentlemen.
W. H. Hale, a merchant of twenty years' experience, opened a boot and shoe store in this city in 1884. His stock is valued at $6,000 to $7,000.
Dry Goods .- The Beehive .- James and John E. Peck, under the firm name of Peck Brothers, are large dealers in carpets, oil cloths, and lace curtains. They have been in business here together ever since the establishment of their trade in 1862, though until recently dealing in a general line of dry goods. They carry a stock of from $40,000 to $50,000.
Edward Barlow, in the Opera House block, has been in the dry goods trade in Burlington for twenty-three years. The business is now worth about $60,000 a year. His stock which is composed of everything in the dry goods line, foreign and domestic, is valued at $25,000 or $30,000.
Safford, Wetherby & Co., wholesale jobbers of fancy goods, notions, ho- siery, overalls, shirts, etc., first began business at Montpelier in 1870 under the title of E. S. Fullam & Co., and in September of that year removed to Bur- lington, locating at their present site. About four years after this C. C. Chad- wick was admitted to the business, and the firm name changed to Fullam, Saf- ford & Chadwick, and so remained until 1875, when, owing to failing health, Mr. Fullam sold his interest to Safford & Chadwick, and during the same sea- son Mr. Humphrey became a partner, and the firm was known as Safford, Chadwick & Co .; but in the early part of 1876 Mr. Chadwick died, and Saf- ford & Humphrey having purchased his interest, continued the business in their name until 1881, when Henry L. Wetherby was admitted, and the title changed to the one it has since borne. Although Mr. Humphrey is a mem- ber of the firm, his time is given to conducting a retail trade in Winooski vil- lage, which is owned by Safford, Humphrey & Co. During these years the
Edward Lyman
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business has steadily increased, so that they now employ two traveling sales- men and a full corps of clerks at their store, their annual sales amounting to about $100,000.
The extensive dry goods house of Lyman, Allen & Co. was established in 1868 by the admission of H. W. Allen to partnership with the present senior member, Edward Lyman. The trade was originally started in 1844 by Elias Lyman, in the Lyman block, as before noticed. On the Ist of January, 1848, Edward Lyman became a partner of the founder. In 1851 Elias Lyman re- tired. This is the largest wholesale dry goods house in the State, its success being due to the principle adhered to of dealing only in the best of goods, and representing them as they are. The trade extends throughout the State, and is by no means confined to Vermont. A more extended history of the con- cern appears in the biographical sketch of Mr. Lyman on a subsequent page.
M. D. Cook began dealing in fancy dry goods and carpets, and has enlarged his original business to its present proportions. He makes a specialty of car- pets, and sells $80,000 worth of goods a year. In 1876 his sales amounted to $25,000.
George H. Kinsley, who now carries a stock of $25,000, first opened his store here in 1876. He carries a full line of dry and fancy goods, making a specialty of cloaks.
J. B. Scully & Co. are successors to J. B. Scully, who founded the present flourishing business in 1881. They carry an excellent stock of general dry goods, silks, shawls, and domestics.
George Towle and A. F. Chayer entered into partnership and established their present trade in dry goods three years ago. They make a specialty of hosiery, underwear, and gloves.
Bennett Turk established the trade in fine custom clothing, now carried on by the firm of B. Turk & Brother, in 1853, when only two or three of the houses now in business in Burlington had been started. They carry a stock of $40,000 to $50,000, and deal in hats, caps, and gentlemen's furnishing goods.
In 1878 A. N. Percy, after an already wide experience in St. Albans and Boston, came to Burlington and started the trade in ready made clothing, etc., now carried on by A. N. Percy & Co., the junior being A. H. Richardson. The income from their business is about $50,000 per annum.
The business of E. P. Shaw, dealer in the same line of goods, was founded by the present proprietor in 1873. Mr. Shaw makes a specialty of fine cloth- ing, and carries a stock of $15,000 to $20,000.
The Blue Store, one of the largest establishments in the city, was opened in 1875 by Smith & Pease. Jerome B. Smith and H. C. Humphrey formed their present partnership in 1885. They have an excellent line of clothing and furnishing goods.
D. N. Nicholson began on the Ist of January, 1878, a trade in hats and
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HISTORY OF CHITTENDEN COUNTY.
furs, and has since added a general clothing, hat, cap, fur, and trunk business to his first enterprise. He manufactures furs, and makes them and hats a specialty.
The firm of Miles & McMahon, jobbers and retailers in millinery, ladies' furnishing and ready made goods, furs, notions, glassware, etc., was formed in July, 1884. Their sign is the "largest bonnet in the world." Mr. Miles has charge of the store in Burlington, and Mr. McMahon of another owned by the firm at Stowe, Vt.
The Globe Clothing House, D. M. Miles & Co., was opened on the 25th of April, 1885, with a general stock in men's, youths', and boys' clothing, etc., etc.
The firm of Pope & Pease began to trade in Burlington in the fall of 1885 - dealers in clothing, furnishing goods, hats, caps, etc.
The glove store of A. N. Johns came into the present proprietor's hands in March, 1886, and is the only exclusive glove store in Vermont. He carries a stock of about $5,000 to $10,000, and sells the finest of gloves and mittens.
Drugs, Medicines, etc .- The oldest drug store in the city is that of W. S. Vincent, which was opened by Mr. Vincent in 1865. From 1866 to 1875 it was Vincent & Taft that ran the business, and from the latter date to the spring of 1881 the firm name was Vincent, Taft & Co. Since then Mr. Vincent has again been sole proprietor.
The enterprising firm of Henry, Johnson & Lord commenced business at Waterbury, Vt., in 1855, under the firm name of J. M. Henry & Sons. Under various changes the firm continued in Waterbury until March, 1867, when they removed to Burlington. After this the addition of the wholesale drug busi- ness was made to their manufacture of proprietary medicines. In 1870 the firm divided, the present firm of Wells, Richardson & Co. taking the whole- sale department under the firm title of Henry & Co., and Henry & Johnson retaining the proprietary medicine department, which they still continue, with the addition in 1879, of L. B. Lord to the company, making the firm as at present. The specialties which they manufacture are N. H. Downs's elixir, Baxter's mandrake bitters, and arnica and oil liniment, besides a large line of toilet articles, extracts, essences, and other proprietary medicines. They have traveling salesmen in all New England and the Middle States, while their sales extend to all parts of the Union. They have a branch house in Montreal, which supplies an extensive demand in Canada.
The drug firm of R. B. Stearns & Co. are lineal descendants from the old Peck stand established in 1840. The present proprietors assumed the business in 1870. In addition to the drug trade, which is their specialty, they carry a good stock of surgical instruments, which they claim cannot be excelled in quality in the State.
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